"That would seem to be a weakness of the Lane family," said Uncle
Sylvester grimly, with a return of his former carelessness. "But that is
not YOUR own opinion--that's a suggestion of some one else?"

"Well," said Gabriel, with a laugh and a slight addition of color, "it
WAS Gunn's theory. As a man of the world and a practical financier, you
know."

"And you've talked with HIM about it?"

"Yes. It was a matter of general wonder years ago."

"Very likely--but, just now, don't you think we've had enough financial
talk?" said Uncle Sylvester, with a bored contraction of his eyebrows.
"Come," looking around the room, "you've changed the interior of the old
house."

"Yes. Unfortunately, just after father's death it was put in the hands
of a local architect or builder, one of father's old friends, but not
a very skillful workman, who made changes while the family were away.
That's why your present bedroom, which was father's old study, had a
slice taken off it to make the corridor larger, and why the big chimney
and hearthstone are still there, although the fireplace is modernized.
That was Flint's stupidity."

"Whose stupidity?" asked Uncle Sylvester, trimming his nails.

"Flint's--the old architect."

"Why didn't you make him change it back again?"